Surge protector, how many joules do we need ?

[westom]

Jan 25, 2017 11:14:30 GMT -5 Loop 7 said:

Sound & Vision: A Tale of Power Loss and Protection

From that citation:

But regardless of advertising claims, nothing you can insert between the wall and your gear can protect it against possible damage from a close lightening strike.

Plug-in protectors do not do that protection. And may even make damage easier. But properly earthed protectors even have spec numbers that define protection from direct lightning strikes. That author apparently does not know the difference.

That citation also repeated another urban myth. Do projector light bulb self destruct if not cooled for a minute after power off? Of course not. Urban myths claim a powered off bulb gets hotter if a fan does not blow.

Reality. Vibration breaks a bulb's filaments if hot. Fan cools the bulb faster so that its filament will be cooler when moved. If power is lost unexpectedly, then do not move an incandescent bulb projector for many minutes - to let its filament cool. But the urban myth lives on. Unexpected power offs do not cause a powered off bulb to get hotter.

Both suggest much about fears and credibility of that author. Some authors only recite what they heard - not how things work.

Second, many electricians are not taught about surge protection - what it does and why. Most of what was discussed here is often not taught to electricians. Electricians spend years learning what must connect to what - to protect human life. Protection of transistors is not the purpose of safety codes; is not taught to electricians.

Linemen would know that an earth ground is essential for human safe operation. That is sufficient to get grounds maintained. But many linemen would not know that same ground is essential to protect household appliances. So yes, one will get many different opinions. The ones that actually know also provide spec numbers.

[frenchyfranky]

OK folks, to make an update, yesterday Saturday February 4th in the early morning, the Hydro-Quebec transfo in my backyard has burned and died, so the electricity company came in emergency to change it for a new one. My problem of voltage variations is finally now fixed. For sure the danger of current surge will always be possible but my main recent concern is over, just in time for the Super bowl tonight.

[bluemeanies]

Jan 25, 2017 8:05:03 GMT -5 bluemeanies said:

Jan 22, 2017 7:25:37 GMT -5 vneal said:

Well I am rest assured that everyone who posted above me is a electrical engineer

😂Of course...I was in a small class. Only five people, myself included.
I remember those guys...MOE, LARRY, CURLY, AND SHEMP! SHEMP was the smartest!


Being serious here I feel we all try. What is good for one system and area might not be consistent with others. Having said that I have spoken to Electricians, PECO (my electric supplier) people in the audio/video business as well as electronic experts. Everyone had a different opinion or and addition to how to protect your equipment.
With everything I have done to protect my equipment I do not feel it is 100% safe. Not b/c I did not do enough or someone else had a better idea but simply put, Mother Nature is unpredictable and she is in control.
10 years ago my neighbor directly across the street was hit by lighting on the back wall of their house. The lighting burned up the electric panel, and every appliance in the house. Not to mention that the entire outside back wall and half of the outside SIDE wall was scorched. Their entire house on the outside had to be re-stuccoed and wire lath had to be replaced and painted.
Fortunately nothing happened to my house or her neighbors except flickering of lights.

I personally am trying my BEST to protect my interest...everyone should have due diligence while investing their hard earned money into this hobby.

SO about 1hour I posted the above...take a guest at what happened...power surge which knock out all power in a 3 mile radius. I really do not know the cause. I immediately grab a flashlight and went to my circuit breaker box and shut off all breakers related to my dedicated room. I also shut off both subs, the Furman, and projector.
It took almost 8hours before power was restored.
I turned on all breakers, subs to AUTO and switched on the projector.
Unfortunately I did not have time last night nor today to rest the waters (so to speak) but later this evening I will throw the switch like Dr. Frankenstein and hope for the best.
I am confident that everything is fine but one never knows the unexpected.

Ironic about what happened...at least the timing.
Have not had time to read the posts after my original...I have some catching up to do on this subject and what people's opinions are the the subject matter.

Have a good day all!